Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Knowledge Among Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

TY - CONF

T1 - Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Knowledge Among Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

AU - Almeida, T.

AU - Thakkar, B.

AU - Kimbrough, T.

AU - Martin, C. E.

N1 - Conference code: 12th

PY - 2020/6/19

Y1 - 2020/6/19

N2 - Background: Opioid-related deaths are a leading cause of pregnancy-associated mortality, and the prevalence of NOWS is increasing. Caregiving environments can reduce or eliminate the need for pharmacologic treatment of NOWS. However, insufficient parenting knowledge likely interferes with its optimal implementation. The primary objective of this study was to assess misinformation related to the peripartum transition and NOWS among women in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Methods: This is a secondary data analysis from an ongoing study to develop and test a patient education tool. A novel NOWS knowledge survey was developed based on clinical experience and literature consisting of 12 true/false questions. Pregnant (3rd trimester) and postpartum (< 7 days since delivery) women on medication for OUD (N = 22) completed this one-time, anonymous survey in a specialized clinic providing integrated perinatal and OUD care. Results: The proportion of correct responses varied widely across question domains. Almost all women correctly identified NOWS signs/symptoms and nonpharmacologic NOWS treatments (100% skin-to-skin, 95% rooming in) except for breastfeeding (76% correct). Only 67% correctly stated that not all infants exposed to medication for OUD would need pharmacologic NOWS treatment, and 71% state that the infant would likely be discharged after the mother. Lastly, only 59% of women correctly reported that child welfare “will do what is best for me and my baby,” and 77% reported that the postpartum period is high risk for compromised recovery. Conclusion: Despite receiving counseling from both obstetrics and addiction medicine providers, women on medication for OUD continue to have high levels of misinformation regarding expectations for the peripartum transition and care of the infant at risk of NOWS. Educational interventions tailored for the mother-infant dyad affected by OUD that can be easily implemented into clinical care are urgently needed, and patient-reported data should guide their development.

AB - Background: Opioid-related deaths are a leading cause of pregnancy-associated mortality, and the prevalence of NOWS is increasing. Caregiving environments can reduce or eliminate the need for pharmacologic treatment of NOWS. However, insufficient parenting knowledge likely interferes with its optimal implementation. The primary objective of this study was to assess misinformation related to the peripartum transition and NOWS among women in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Methods: This is a secondary data analysis from an ongoing study to develop and test a patient education tool. A novel NOWS knowledge survey was developed based on clinical experience and literature consisting of 12 true/false questions. Pregnant (3rd trimester) and postpartum (< 7 days since delivery) women on medication for OUD (N = 22) completed this one-time, anonymous survey in a specialized clinic providing integrated perinatal and OUD care. Results: The proportion of correct responses varied widely across question domains. Almost all women correctly identified NOWS signs/symptoms and nonpharmacologic NOWS treatments (100% skin-to-skin, 95% rooming in) except for breastfeeding (76% correct). Only 67% correctly stated that not all infants exposed to medication for OUD would need pharmacologic NOWS treatment, and 71% state that the infant would likely be discharged after the mother. Lastly, only 59% of women correctly reported that child welfare “will do what is best for me and my baby,” and 77% reported that the postpartum period is high risk for compromised recovery. Conclusion: Despite receiving counseling from both obstetrics and addiction medicine providers, women on medication for OUD continue to have high levels of misinformation regarding expectations for the peripartum transition and care of the infant at risk of NOWS. Educational interventions tailored for the mother-infant dyad affected by OUD that can be easily implemented into clinical care are urgently needed, and patient-reported data should guide their development.

KW - Health Disparities

KW - Opiate Use

KW - Pregnant and Parenting Women

UR - https://gendercenter.rti.org/12th-international-womens-and-childrens-health-and-gender-group-virtual-conference

UR - http://bit.ly/InWomensPBworks

M3 - Poster

SP - 14

T2 - 12th International Women’s and Children’s Health and Gender Group VIRTUAL Conference

Y2 - 19 June 2020 through 19 June 2020

ER -